Since 1996 an IFLA/DANIDA project has been underway to enhance interlending and document supply in Ghana. Through external funding the project aims to establish an electronic networking system, to train local librarians in the use of new technology and in ILDS systems generally; to develop relationships with major Western libraries. If the project is successful it is likely to be extended to other Third World countries. The project is being carried out against the background of traditional library problems in Africa, e.g. underfunding, poor telecommunications, lack of computing equipment, limited local expertise, inadequate staff numbers and poor training facilities. Through the project, promising progress is already being made.

This study, the second in a series initiated in the Department of Library and Archival Studies (DLAS) of the University of Ghana, aims at using the views of past graduates of the Graduate Diploma in Library Studies programme (1971-1981) to assist in evaluating and reviewing the curricu lum. It also seeks to establish and maintain contact with past students for mutual benefit. The questions covered respon dents' work place and job responsibilities; courses they stud ied and their relevance to their present jobs; and the efficacy of teaching/learning processes. The responses suggest, inter alia, what subjects are most relevant to their jobs, what improvements in terms of new subjects and enhancement of existing ones are required to strengthen the programme and make it more relevant.

The twentieth century will go down in history as the century of explosions. Within living memory the world has witnessed several of these: the splitting of the atom and the neutron, with the subsequent release of so much energy that mankind faces certain extinction through its misuse. The knowledge explosion has been with us all of the second half of this century; and the latest, and certainly one of the most problematic, is the population explosion and the global attempts being made to prevent homo sapiens from any further literal interpretation of the biblical exhortation of God's chosen people to “be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth …” All available human resources have been marshalled against the destructive elements in these forces. Efforts have been geared towards containing them within reasonably safe bounds, so that the good in them could be employed fully and more profitably for the further development of our world.

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If you would like to write for this, or any other Emerald publication, then please use our Emerald for Authors service information about how to choose which publication to write for and submission guidelines are available for all. Please visit www.emeraldinsight.com/authors for more information. About Emerald www.emeraldinsight.comEmerald is a global publisher linking research and practice to the benefit of society. The company manages a portfolio of more than 290 journals and over 2,350 books and book series volumes, as well as providing an extensive range of online products and additional customer resources and services.Emerald is both COUNTER 4 and TRANSFER compliant. The organization is a partner of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) and also works with Portico and the LOCKSS initiative for digital archive preservation. AbstractIn 1993, all of the six polytechnic institutions in Ghana were elevated to the status of tertiary-level institutions. This study is an assessment of the state of polytechnic libraries in relation to their new roles as libraries of tertiary institutions. It seeks to investigate the adequacy or otherwise of personnel, finance, materials, accommodation, equipment and services in these libraries. The writers conclude that these facilities are woefully inadequate and have to be improved in order to enhance the academic performance of the students and staff of the polytechnics.